Hi!This is my first post here. By way of introduction, I'm new to this forum but not new to RVs having owned 3 travel trailers over the past 25 years. This will be our first motorhome.We're about to purchase a small Class A and I was hoping to get some help with the choice of a toad. Our requirements are:1. New or used.2. 4 years old or newer.3. Under $15K.4. Stick or automatic.5. Must be able to be flat towed without jumping through a bunch of hoops or modifications.I've downloaded the MH dinghy guides for 2011 through 2014 and have narrowed my choices to a Honda CRV, Ford Focus, Jeep Patriot, Chevrolet Cruze.I'd be interested to learn your opinions of these vehicles and your experiences with them. Anything that will help me decide among these 4 vehicles would be much appreciated, including any specific years from 2011 to 2014 for these vehicles that I should avoid. I'd also be interested in hearing about any other vehicles that meet our requirements that I haven't considered.Thanks!-- Steve

Jeep Wrangler 4X4, preferably the Rubicon model.Just my opinion, nothing more.I don't like Hondas, I bought my last Ford years ago (except for the chassis under my motorhome), the Chevy Cruze apparently has axle problems, and I like the Wrangler better than the Patriot.But, what I like is irrelevant. Get what will make YOU happy!Good luck.

we just got our winnebago cl B+ and for a towed we bought a new 2013 Hyundai Elantra. 2600 lbs 4 cyl 6 speed. Gets around 30 mpg in town 35 on road. 150 HP direct injection, clutch feel is non-existant. Have trouble being smoooooth as my ranger is very stiff along with the throttle! Was really surprised with the overall performance, climbed a mountain to test it to 10000 ft, kept telling me to upshift! Had no problems with the roads or altitude.Anyhow we looked at used, many trashed a million miles and high prices. Found a couple of 09's one had 18K on it they wanted $12K, another had 36K on it and they wanted $10! Looked at a lot of roadside sales and they were almost junk or had been hot rodded. Anyhow the 100K warranty does not transfer and so you have 5yr/50K something like that that will but again an 09 is at the end of the warranty. Anyhow got ours for $15900 I think it was brand new. The aspire is like a nissan versa and 1-2K less.

We tow a 2013 CRV. Tows easy. have to look at rear camera to know it's there. Requires the addition of a charge line from the RV to the Toad battery to power your supplemental braking system. Also, if you opt for the Navigation/Electronics package, you will have to pull a 7.5 amp fuse while towing to keep that power hog from depleting the battery. We installed a Fusemaster switch to keep from crawling on the ground every time we stopped long enough to need the car.

Good information so far. Thanks!I forgot to mention that the toad will only be used for RVing. It will be a 100% RV toad. We have other cars that we use for daily driving.Thanks again,-- Steve

Jeep, as long as the transfer case has a selectable neutral position. no time/speed/distance restrictions and hook-up is about as EZ as can be. some AWD models of Jeep do NOT have a selectable neutral position on the transfer case and thus CANNOT be flat towed or dolly'd. those have to be trailered. as you can see by my tag line i'm a bit partial to Jeep. good luck.

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Gjac
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2014
If you are not planning off road excursions, and want the vehicle to be your daily driver also I would look at the small sedans that get upwards of 40 mpgs. I towed a 2002 Toyota Corolla to Alaska and other dirt roads in Canada and the lower 48 and would not buy a brand new tow car because of the stone chips. If you plan on staying in Fla or on highways a new car would be ok. Of the cars you mentioned the Focus and Cruse would be my choice. However I would look at the Versa, Elantra, and the Forte with the manual trans because I think they are a better value. You really have to think how you will use the car 90% of the time.
SinDee
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
Ezgoin - You might want to give this a try for your battery disconnect. I use one on my old Corvette's battery because I go periods of time when I don't drive it:

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Terminal-Master-Disconnect-Green/dp/B00B2ATRGK/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1396656786&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=green+knob+battery+disconnect

I also use one on my current TT's battery when it's in storage.

Thanks to everyone for the toad advice. Lots of good information to help me decide.

Take care,
-- Steve
ezgoin
Explorer
Apr 04, 2014
I just purchased a used 2013 Ford Fiesta automatic tranny to be used the same as you, only for towing on trips, for a lot less than 15k. Other than setting the tranny in Neutral, the only thing to do is disconnect the negative post on the battery. The Fiesta negative battery post is easily accessible (where the Focus is not) so it takes 30 seconds with a 10mm nut driver to disconnect the battery. There are no mileage limits on towing it, and max speed for towing is 70 mph. The Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs, so I doubt I will even now it's there. I'm still getting estimates on the tow setup, so I haven't towed yet, but from what I've read on this forum, folks love the little Fiesta.

Good luck with your search, and safe travels.
tropical_ron
Explorer
Apr 04, 2014
X2 what cochise49 says...this is our second cr-v and it's my wife's daily driver...we also have the fusemaster, works great; required even without GPS. Lots of choices - people like what works for them. Not really saying amy one is the best. Whatever fits your needs and expectations. Is off roading in your future? Our cr-v is fine on the beaches where allowed; we don't climb trails, other folks like to.
Best of luck.
rk911
Explorer
Apr 04, 2014
Jeep, as long as the transfer case has a selectable neutral position. no time/speed/distance restrictions and hook-up is about as EZ as can be. some AWD models of Jeep do NOT have a selectable neutral position on the transfer case and thus CANNOT be flat towed or dolly'd. those have to be trailered. as you can see by my tag line i'm a bit partial to Jeep.

good luck.
SinDee
Explorer
Apr 04, 2014
Good information so far. Thanks!

I forgot to mention that the toad will only be used for RVing. It will be a 100% RV toad. We have other cars that we use for daily driving.

Thanks again,
-- Steve
cochise49
Explorer
Apr 04, 2014
We tow a 2013 CRV. Tows easy. have to look at rear camera to know it's there. Requires the addition of a charge line from the RV to the Toad battery to power your supplemental braking system. Also, if you opt for the Navigation/Electronics package, you will have to pull a 7.5 amp fuse while towing to keep that power hog from depleting the battery. We installed a Fusemaster switch to keep from crawling on the ground every time we stopped long enough to need the car.
Hank85713
Explorer
Apr 04, 2014
we just got our winnebago cl B+ and for a towed we bought a new 2013 Hyundai Elantra. 2600 lbs 4 cyl 6 speed. Gets around 30 mpg in town 35 on road. 150 HP direct injection, clutch feel is non-existant. Have trouble being smoooooth as my ranger is very stiff along with the throttle! Was really surprised with the overall performance, climbed a mountain to test it to 10000 ft, kept telling me to upshift! Had no problems with the roads or altitude.

Anyhow we looked at used, many trashed a million miles and high prices. Found a couple of 09's one had 18K on it they wanted $12K, another had 36K on it and they wanted $10! Looked at a lot of roadside sales and they were almost junk or had been hot rodded. Anyhow the 100K warranty does not transfer and so you have 5yr/50K something like that that will but again an 09 is at the end of the warranty. Anyhow got ours for $15900 I think it was brand new. The aspire is like a nissan versa and 1-2K less.
mowermech
Explorer
Apr 04, 2014
Jeep Wrangler 4X4, preferably the Rubicon model.
Just my opinion, nothing more.
I don't like Hondas, I bought my last Ford years ago (except for the chassis under my motorhome), the Chevy Cruze apparently has axle problems, and I like the Wrangler better than the Patriot.
But, what I like is irrelevant. Get what will make YOU happy!
Good luck.

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